iWatch release date is the buzz in town as both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal report that the iWatch smartwatch release date looms. The reports in both the newspapers add to the credibility of the rumor, although there has been no formal word from Apple Inc.
The year of the first smartwatch release was 2013, when Apple rivals Samsung and Sony unveiled their concept models. At the time the, Samsung's smartwatch was called the Gear and has since successfully the Samsung Gear and the Gear 2 along with the Fit, taking all the kudos for an early prototype fitness gear.
With rumors of an iWatch casually perforating through Silicon Valley, Apple could be readying for a coupled launch with iPhone 6. Rumors have strengthened after reports last week said that Nike fitness gear employees were sacked and that the sports clothing retail store expressed a desire to collaborate with Cupertino, California-based Apple.
With Apple CEO, Tim Cooks on the board of Nike, it looks like the two will be collaborating on the iWatch. An unveiling of the touted and long awaited device might be in June, while Apple Inc. might decide to launch the product coupled with the iPhone 6 in September. Apple has been known to make its launches in line with previous releases, and it will be one year since the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c were launched by the end of the year.
Pressure mounts on the release of the iWatch since rivals such as Samsung Gear have already launched Gear 2 and there's plenty of competition in the offing with other majors like Pebbles and Sony.
Although Apple Inc. has done well in acquiring patents, first in Japan, and later in a number of countries, a delayed launch would make the smartwatch irrelevant. Apart from that, Apple watchers are eagerly awaiting a product launch, since none has been forthcoming this year.
While iPhone 6 is highly anticipated, most analysts would say that if the iWatch is not released in time for the holidays, the branded product might lose its appeal, particularly since Google's Android Wear has won the hearts of many techies and wearable enthusiasts.
